Mike Cameron Suspended

San Diego Padres centerfielder Mike Cameron was suspended 25 games after testing positive for a banned stimulant. It was the second time he has tested positive for a banned stimulant. Cameron, who was expected to file for free agency next month, stressed that the banned substance was not a steroid. He believes the banned stimulant came from a tainted nutritional supplement that he had already finished out. This inability for Cameron to identify (or produce for testing) any tainted supplements, and the fact that this was his second positive, make it difficult to believe that this was accidental.

It is currently MLB's policy to withhold which specific substances a player has tested positive for. In Cameron's case, it is clear that the 25 game suspension is attributed to a substance that is not a steroid. As steroids carry a minimum 50 game suspension, it is likely Cameron was using a banned stimulant like amphetamine or ephedra.

According to former players like the late Ken Caminiti, and the currently suspended Jason Grimsley, amphetamine use was widespread prior to its ban. Green tablets containing the amphetamine Dexedrine (better known as greenies) were used to help players amp themselves up, providing engergy and mental clarity. However, chemical similarities to methamphetamines (crystal, speed) also made the amphetamines highly addictive.

As far as Cameron's role with the Padres, it was widely believed that he would sign with his hometown Atlanta Braves. In turn, Andruw Jones, who struggled horribly last year with the Braves, seemed to be on his way to San Diego. The suspension to start at the beginning of next season may scare other teams away, opening for a discounted contract to return to San Diego. If Cameron leaves, the talk is that Jones (or maybe Aaron Rowand or Torii Hunter) may find a new home at Petco Park.

Fires Force Everyone to Flee, Even Icons and Teams

Sports icons Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman and LaDainian Tomlinson were among the San Diegans forced from their homes by the wildfires. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Gwynn's and Tomlinson's homes in Poway and Hoffman's home in Rancho Santa Fe were directly in the path of the Witch Creek fire that had started in East San Diego County near Ramona.

On Chargers.com, Prow Bowl center Nick Hardwick estimated that about 75 percent of the team (including LT and quarterback Philip Rivers) were affected by the wildfires and evacuations. Though many of the players and their families were forced to evacuate. A few of those who were unaffected took the time to help.  A few Chargers and some staff members, including Safety Clinton Hart, were among the volunteers at Qualcomm. Also assisting at the evacuation site were Padres players and staff, including first baseman Adrian Gonzales and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Reported on Padres.com, current Padres Brett Tomko (Poway) and manager Bud Black(Rancho Santa Fe) were forced out by the Witch Creek evacuation. As printed in the U-T, former Padres Phil Nevin (Poway) and Brian Lawrence and former coaches Bruce Bochy (Poway) and Dave Stewart (Poway) were also evacuated. It was also reported that former Major-Leaguer David Justice's home was among those that burned in Poway. In 2003, former Padre and Cy Young award winner Randy Jones lost his North County home.

Coming off a bye week, the wildfires have created disruption in the Chargers' season. It is unknown how the players will be affected by wildfires and the subsequent evacuations. The entire team was evacuated to Tempe (AZ), and some players opted to bring their families along with them. According to former Charger Billy Ray Smith (who was also evacuated from his home) who appeared on ESPN news, Defensive Lineman Igor Olshansky's wife is currently pregnant. After being evacuated, Olshansky's wife flew to San Francisco in order to get away from all of the smoke and ash polluting the local air. It seems that like most people, the players might have their focus directed on their families and on the events in San Diego.

As many of the players remain unaware of what has happened to their homes and neighborhoods. The team will attempt to resume practices in Arizona, preparing for its upcoming game against the Houston Texans. It is unknown where this "home" game will be played since Qualcomm Stadium is currently an evacuation center and host to many of those displaced by the fires. During the 2003 wildfires, the Chargers played their Monday Night Football "home" game against the Dolphins in Tempe, Arizona. Tempe, Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston are among the possible sites for this Sunday's game if Qualcomm Stadium remains unavailable.

Speechless

San Diego is my hometown. I was born at Balboa Naval Hospital and have been a lifelong San Diegan. As soon as I understood what sports were, I've rooted for the Padres and the Chargers. I grew up idolizing Tony Gwynn, Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow. I have great memories of Air Coryell and of Caminiti's Snickers fueled heroics. Ask anyone who knows me, I always have something to say about sports, especially sports in San Diego. That is... until the last month has left me all but speechless.

This was supposed to be a great year to be a San Diego fan. there was just too much to be excited about. The Chargers had just completed a 14-2 season, won the AFC West and had most their talent returning for 2007. The Padres had just come off back to back National League West titles and looked to have the best pitching staff in the majors. The way things have turned in the past month have crushed me mentally and physically. The 1-3 start for the Chargers and the Padres getting left out of the post-season have created a debilitating combination of headaches, nausea and vertigo. My illness has forced me to block access to all of the ESPN and FOX Sports channels. For the first time in my life, I hated sports.

The Padres had a great season and looked to be a lock for the 2007 playoffs. Until the Colorado Rockies decided to win 13 out of their last 14 games. That 13 inning heartbreaker in Denver was the indigestible anomaly that redefined the Padres' season. Every Padre fan had to like the team's chances with Jake Peavy and Trevor Hoffman both pitching in that one game playoff. It almost felt like the post-season was all but a formality. Unfortunately, neither Peavy nor Hoffman performed in game 163 the way that had carried the team in the first 162.

The Padres went 89-74 and lost an exciting one game playoff. Great season, no playoffs. At least we have Ladainian, right? Yet, to further drive me towards a prolonged addiction to anti-depressants, the Chargers had stumbled out to a horrible 1-3 start. In each of the first four weeks the execution was horrible. Each game was sloppy and painful to watch. My four-month-old son cried anytime the Chargers game was on the TV.

It took a 41-3 drubbing of the Denver Broncos for me and my infant son to stop crying. The defense and special teams took the ball away, as they had done most of last year. After four weeks of insanity, someone finally decided to give the ball to LT. Seemed like a good idea last year, it could work again this year. It isn't much, the team is still 2-3. At least the convincing win keeps me from committing some kind of regrettable act... for at least another week.